Classification of Drugs, Nutraceuticals, Functional Food, and Cosmeceuticals; Proteins, Peptides, and Enzymes as Drugs

Abstract

A crude drug is a naturally occurring unrefined substance consisting of whole plant or herb, any part of it, exudate or extract of it. Crude drugs of different sources are arranged (i) in alphabetical order of their Latin (e.g., European pharmacopoeia) and English (e.g., USP and BPC) names, common names, or sometimes local language names (e.g., Acacia, Benzoin, Cinchona, Dill, Ergot, Fennel); (ii) according to structural characteristics as organized (e.g., part or organ of the plant and animal such as leaves, stems, roots, rhizome, barks, flowers, seeds, hair, fibers) and unorganized drugs (e.g., acellular products of plant and animal such as gum, latex, juice, oil); (iii) following the principles of natural relationship and evolutionary development of plants or animals taxa in Phyla, Orders, Families, Genera, Species, Sub-species, etc.; (iv) according to their pharmacological action or therapeutic uses (e.g., bulk purgatives, emollient purgatives; digitalis, squill, and strophanthus cardiotonics), (v) on the basis of the chemical nature of important constituent or their biosynthetic pathways (e.g., alkaloids, glycosides), (vi) on the chemical similarity of a taxon or certain classes of plants (e.g., tropane alkaloids as a chemotaxonomic marker of Solanaceae members; berberine alkaloid in Berberis and Argemone; rutin in Rutaceae members; ranunculaceous alkaloids in Ranunculaceae) in (i) alphabetic, (ii) morphological, (iii) taxonomical, and (iv) pharmacological or therapeutic (v) in chemical (vi) in chemotaxonomic systems of classifications. The classification of allopathic drugs is based on the clinical usage may be grouped into non-prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs. The anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification of modern drugs is a more elaborate one that   categorizes drugs into 14 main classes according to the organ or biological system on which they act as well as their therapeutic, pharmacological, and chemical properties. On the basis of properties and uses, allopathic drugs are also classified as antibiotics, antacids, antigas medicines, wormicides, steroid medicines, medicines for the external uses, antiallergens and antihistamines, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal medicines, laxatives, medicines for anticold and cough, antiepileptic, antispasmodic, antipyretics, analgesics, antivomiting, antiulcer, hematinic, tranquillizers, medicines for giddiness, enzymes, vitamins, mineral compounds, amino acids, etc. Nutraceuticals are medicinal foods, nutritional supplements, dietary supplements, or food components made from herbal or botanical raw materials that can deliver health benefits beyond basic nutrition, modulate immunity, and/or prevent and cure specific diseases and increase life expectancy. They cover a wide spectrum of substances ranging from natural diets, herbal products, biofortified crops, genetically modified and processed food products. Nutraceuticals are classified as traditional or natural nutraceuticals (e.g., nutrients, herbals, phytochemicals, probiotic microorganisms, nutraceutical enzymes) and non-traditional or artificial nutraceuticals (e.g., fortified and recombinant nutraceuticals). Cosmeceutical is a hybrid combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals containing biologically active ingredients to add medical or drug-like benefits (e.g., cream, lotion, ointment and similar other substances containing botanical and marine extracts like vitamins, peptides). These products are intended for the improvement of health and beauty of the skin and hair. They contain a wide spectrum of biologically active ingredient of natural origin including moisturizer, vitamin, sun protector, skin whitener, free radical scavenger, etc. Cosmeceuticals are classified on the basis of (a) use: (i) skin cosmeceutical products, (ii) hair cosmeceutical products, and (iii) others; (b) active ingredient content and function as (i) retinoids, (ii) sunscreens, (iii) moisturizers, (v) depigmenting agents, (vi) exfoliants, (vii) antioxidants, (viii) proteins/peptides, and (ix) growth factors.